Worcester city councilor wants food-truck issue revisited

Tuesday

Feb 26, 2013 at 6:00 AMFeb 27, 2013 at 12:32 AM

By Steven H. Foskett Jr. TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Judging by the skirmish that broke out Tuesday night over the mere suggestion that the City Council revisit the city’s 2008 street vendor ordinance, the possibility of fish tacos and banh mi sandwiches off the side of a food truck still faces an uphill battle in the city.

At-large Councilor Frederick C. Rushton said he wants to put an order to take another look at the 2008 ordinance on the fast track. The 2008 ordinance, drafted after restaurant owners complained they were being unfairly undercut by street vendors with lower overhead, requires permission to operate from restaurant owners within 250 feet of a potential street vending spot.

Mr. Rushton said it’s time to examine how other cities have been able to strike a balance.

“It’s clear that over the past five or six years Boston has been able to balance brick and mortar along with the food truck,” Mr. Rushton said. “And they’ve done it in a systematic way. I think we can probably achieve that balance in the city of Worcester, where we respect the brick and mortar restaurants but we also keep the consumer in mind first and foremost, and some don’t want to sit down — they want to find gourmet food on the corner at the food truck.”

District 5 Councilor William J. Eddy said he would oppose any such measure. He used questions he posed to City Manager Michael V. O’Brien about complaints about street vendors before and after the ordinance to illustrate how it has worked.

At-Large Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes said she grew up in a family that owned a diner, and said it’s a difficult way to earn a living. Just because it’s trendy doesn’t mean it’s economically viable, she said.

But At-large Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey said she’s been approached by restaurant owners who want to branch out into food trucks. And District 4 Councilor Sarai Rivera said it’s a way to start small businesses in the city, and promote economic mobility.

Mr. Rushton said it was too early to fight over an ordinance that wasn’t even on the council floor yet. Still, he said he plans on getting something before the council for a vote by April.

“Do I want them parked all up and down Shrewsbury Street?” Mr. Rushton asked. “No. But somehow, by some miracle of God, the city of Boston has figured out how they can coexist, and in Providence, in Portland, in Denver, and every city that’s on the move. I’m just hoping that maybe we can learn from them and make that existence happen.”